Work permit issues scupper deal for Hajduk Split goalkeeper, meaning Garde is
yet to make his first Villa signing

Rémi Garde is growing increasingly frustrated over Aston Villa’s failure to bring in new players, after a £4.9 million deal for Lovre Kalinic collapsed. The manager’s attempt to sign the Hajduk Split goalkeeper has been scrapped after a work permit was rejected, to leave him yet to make his first signing.

Kalinic, a Croatia international, was set to join Villa earlier this week but the work permit and a subsequent appeal were both thrown out to deal another blow to Garde’s hopes of signing a new keeper.

Garde recognises the difficulties of attracting players to a club bottom of the league – and appreciates that loan deals are the best option – but is disappointed that no signings have arrived, more than three weeks into the window.

The Frenchman admits he is “hopeful” of making at least one signing next week but is running out of patience after handing the board a list of achievable targets before the window even opened.

Rémi Garde wants to strengthen his squad

Villa have gone four games unbeaten and remain 10 points adrift of safety, ahead of Saturday’s Midlands derby at West Bromwich Albion.

Garde said: “In my position I have to assess the team and recommend about the players and areas where we could improve the team.

“It’s my job to do this and give the recommendation to the board and chief executive. It’s their job to work on the financial part, I don’t get involved with that.

“I would be very happy like ­every manager [if we could make some signings]. I have ideas, I know a lot of players outside of my team and I would like to have this one and this one because you imagine it could be better.